essay on social media is a curse or blessing

Essay on ‘Social Media – A Blessing or a Curse?’

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Visual art and design are the most favorable media shared on social network. Social network allows designers and artists to show their projects, explore new ideas, inspire others or propaganda purpose. By joining a Pinterest board or follow a Tumblr page, people can find tons of styles and ideas in a short time and less effort. Adobe Systems Inc created a portfolio social network called bechance.net. It’s specialized for photographers, designers, and artists to share their own ideas and receive feedback from others. According to Toni Morrison, only artists can help us understand the inconceivable.

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Social Media: A Curse or a Blessing?

Since 2005 the number of adults that use social media in the United States has risen from eight percent to 72 percent, according to Forbes.com. Social media use is on the rise, and though many may not realize it, frequent use can be seen as an addiction.

“I find myself clicking on my Facebook, Twitter and Instagram icons over and over, as if my newsfeeds are going to change and show me something incredibly different within seconds,” said Kelly Brockett, senior communication major. “I find myself more worried about what’s going on in the social media world rather than taking in what is physically around me, a bad habit I am trying to break.”

Use of social media has become very common among people. People are found using cell phones while in supermarkets, hallways, dinners and even in classrooms. A cell phone can be found in a student’s hands, pocket and even on top of their desk.

“When I am walking I use it to play music, text or for social media. I always have my phone on me, also if I can get away with having it on my desk then it’s usually there,” said Marcus McKenzie, Penn State University senior. “I check Twitter and Instagram every moment I get.”

George Kapalka, Chair of the Department of Psychological Counseling said he thinks the phone is a tool. “I think what people are attached to and crave is more what the activity is and the phone simply provides them an easy way to be able to do that,” said Kapalka.

Kapalka continued, “People now seem to crave being connected with the social media and that really has replaced social groups to a large extent.”

Craving social media is what is seen as an issue. The use of social media is one thing, although once feelings of distress and unpleasantness occur because a person is unable to access their accounts as a serious issue may be at hand.

A psychological fear has been diagnosed called “nomophobia” or no-mobile-phone-phobia, it is the feeling that people experience when their phone was left at home, dies or they are unable to access it, according to nomophobia.com. The fear causes high levels of stress that is created when unable to communicate through the cell phone at any time of the day. Some of the reasons people experience this fear is due to losing or forgetting their phone, SIM card failure, battery failure, running out of minutes, traveling, or from poor reception.

“I am guilty of experiencing a complete sense of panic when I leave my phone at home. I just feel completely disconnected and almost vulnerable,” said Kayla Horvath, communication major.

A Fox Business report found that Americans spend on average of 16 minutes every hour on social networking sites. The report stated, “Your intention might be to hop online to quickly update your status or tweet your latest life revelation, but social media is addictive and a major time consumer.”

The need to check a cell phone has become so common and even natural to people that the Huffington Post name the reaction a mechanical movement. “…You can’t help yourself, because checking your smartphone is a mechanical movement for you, as involuntary as breathing or blinking or producing saliva in your mouth.”

Brocket explains that when she does not have her phone she feels “sheer panic.” “I feel like my life is on that phone, all my contacts, my calendar, my email, everything … I’d be too worried I was missing someone trying to get a hold of me if I didn’t have my phone.”

Many have found that if they don’t check their phone or go a period of time without scrolling through non-existent notifications, they begin to feel a vibration that never actually happened. This feeling has been named, “phantom vibration syndrome.” The syndrome is a perceived vibration from a device that is not actually vibrating, according to a study done by Indiana and Purdue University’s Department of Psychology.

The study found that 89 percent of the 290 undergraduate students experienced phantom vibrations. The students in the study explained that they experienced phantom vibration syndrome about once every two weeks on average. The study also found that the students who expressed a strong reaction to a vibration or phone notification, experienced phantom vibration syndrome more often.

Many wonder what is so appealing about social media. “I think people are becoming so addicted to social media because it fulfills a certain drive or need that we never before had the means to like we do now, nosiness,” said Horvath. “Almost everyone likes to feel connected and is curious about what the big news is in their friends or families life.”

Horvath adds that social media is a mindless activity that is very easy to look at. “I use social media multiple times a day. Most of the time it is simply because I am bored and curious as to what else is going on around me.”

“I use Instagram the most. It’s just so dumb. I sit there and refresh, refresh, refresh the page. I know I’m better than that. I can be doing things that are actually worth whole with my time but no,” Raven Brunson senior communication major said.

Social media is an activity that is used by people almost every day but what uses are considered as an addiction? “I think that addiction to social media is when you are constantly on it. If you pick it up while in the middle of conversation with someone you’re not listening,” said Brunson.

Horvath said, “I think a person could be considered addicted when they post multiple tweets, Facebook posts, or Instagram posts per day.”

Brockett explains that social media addiction is, “people who are sometimes far too interested in what their newsfeeds look like instead of being mentally present while they are spending quality time with friends and family.”

To some, exhaustive amount of social media use is not seen as an addiction. “Addiction is a pretty heavy word that shouldn’t be thrown around too lightly,” said Jen Pacheco, senior psychology major. “People get addicted to heroin. But it’s not crazy to think that our impulse to constantly check social media time after time and scroll, scroll, scroll is detrimental to us in some way.”

Franca Mancini, Director of Counseling and Psychological Services said, “Addiction isn’t normal, and I hesitate to use that term other than in extreme cases, but there is the possibility that for some individuals that habit of the cell can get out of hand.”

Pacheco adds, “It’s becoming a societal norm, you’re weird if you’re not connected.” Based on the amount of social media users it has become “the norm.”

“I do not think people are consciously aware of the addiction because it has just become a part of our life,” said Horvath. “We are over-saturated by it. It is the new norm.”

As a result of increased social media use, people are finding themselves searching for help. In September of 2013 the first inpatient Internet addiction treatment center in the country opened at Bradford Regional Medical Center in Pennsylvania.

Psychologist Dr. Kimberly Young decided to open the center after spending the past 18 years treating patients addicted to the Internet. She felt that the issue was rising and due to the amount of requesting treatment options, something needed to be done.

The center offers a 10-day inpatient program available to adults over 18-years-old. The center currently offers 16 available beds and uses the Cognitive Behavioral Therapy principle, or “talk therapy” to help overcome their addiction through verbal communication.

The internet addictions vary from social media, eBay, pornography, and gambling addictions. The patients experience a 72-hour detox from the internet where they are slowly reintroduced to face-to-face communication.

“Is this a start of a new revelation?” said Andrea Gonzalez, political science major. “A revelation as in, do people really not know how to resist using social media? I am shocked to hear this but I fear that it will only lead to more addiction centers throughout the control.”

Many wonder how this continued use of social media may affect people and relationships in the future. Kapala explains that the relationships are not as personal as they were before. “I don’t want to be fatalistic, but I am not particularly optimistic of the effect that it is going to have,” he said.

Kapalka continued, “I am concerned that it’s going to turn us as human beings into more and more self-centered people that don’t know too much about empathy and how to express it, because you don’t develop as much close physical relationships … Because the interaction is through social media or over text rather than physically being there watching the person react to what you are doing.”

The first step to addressing the issue is first realizing that increased social media use is a problem and can create lasting effects. Checking a cell phone 10 minutes of every hour is seen as a societal norm, meanwhile others using social media excessively are checking in to internet rehabilitation centers.

“It should not affect your outside experiences. The screen is not your life and it should not be used constantly,” said Brunson. “I’m not Instagram famous, nor do I feel that way. I just think that I over use it.”

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An Essay About Social Media: Definition, Outline and Examples

An essay about social media is a piece of writing that explores social media’s impact, influence, and consequences on various aspects of society, such as communication, relationships, politics, mental health, culture, and more.

The essay can take on different forms, such as an argumentative essay, a cause-and-effect essay, a critical analysis, or an exploratory essay.

A good essay about social media aims to provide a well-researched and thought-provoking examination of the topic and to help readers better understand the complex nature of social media and its role in our lives.

The essay may address questions such as:

Why do college students write essays about social media

College students may write an essay about social media for several reasons:

How to write an essay about social media

Step 1: Choose a Topic Before you start writing your essay, you must choose a topic you are interested in and clearly understand. This could be a specific aspect of social media, such as its impact on mental health, or a more general overview of the pros and cons of social media.

Step 2: Research Gather information and data on your topic from various sources such as books, articles, websites, and interviews. Make sure to take notes and organize your research to make it easier to reference later.

Step 3: Create an Outline An outline is a roadmap for your essay and will help you to organize your thoughts and ideas. A standard essay outline includes an introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion.

Step 4: Write the Introduction In the introduction, provide background information on social media and introduce your thesis statement. A thesis statement is a sentence that states your argument and sets the direction of your essay.

Step 5: Write the Body Paragraphs The body paragraphs are the main part of your essay, where you will discuss the advantages and disadvantages of social media, its impact on society, and other relevant topics. Each body paragraph should have a topic sentence, supporting evidence, and a conclusion.

Step 6: Write the Conclusion The conclusion should summarize your main points and restate your thesis. It should also provide a final thought or call to action, encouraging the reader to think critically about social media and its impact on society.

Step 7: Edit and Revise Once you have completed your first draft, take some time to revise and edit your essay. Check for grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors, and ensure your ideas are well-organized and presented.

Step 8: Proofread Proofread your essay one last time to catch any mistakes you may have missed in the previous steps. This will help to ensure that your essay is well-written and error-free.

Essay about social media outline example

I. Introduction

Definition of social media A brief history of social media Importance of social media in today’s world II. Advantages of social media

Connectivity and communication Access to information Improved marketing and advertising Increased global exposure and reach Ability to participate in social movements and activism III. Disadvantages of social media

Cyberbullying and online harassment Addiction and decreased productivity Spread of misinformation and fake news Decreased privacy and security Impacts on mental health and self-esteem IV. Social media and its impact on society

Influence on politics and elections Changes in the way we interact and communicate Increase in consumerism and materialism Impact on journalism and news media Effects on personal relationships and communication skills V. Conclusion

Recap of the advantages and disadvantages of social media Final thoughts on the role and impact of social media in society Call to action for the responsible and mindful use of social media

Example essay about social media

Social media is a term that refers to the various platforms and websites that allow individuals to communicate, share information and content, and connect with others on the internet. With the rise of social media, the way people communicate, interact and consume information has dramatically changed. Overall, Social media has changed the way we communicate, access information, and interact with others, but its impact on society is both positive and negative, highlighting the need for responsible and mindful use.

One of the most significant advantages of social media is the ease of connectivity and communication. Social media has brought people from all over the world together, making it possible to form online communities and interact with others who share similar interests. This has been especially beneficial for individuals who live in isolated areas or have mobility issues, as social media provides a way to stay connected and engaged with others.

In addition, social media has provided unprecedented access to information. The internet has become a vast library of knowledge available to anyone with an internet connection. With the help of social media, people can access the latest news, events, and trends from around the world and learn about various topics and issues from diverse perspectives.

However, social media also has its negative aspects. One of the most significant drawbacks is the spread of misinformation and fake news. The ease of creating and sharing content online has led to an increase in misleading information, which can have far-reaching consequences, particularly in politics and public opinion. Additionally, social media can be addictive and can negatively impact productivity, as people spend hours browsing and scrolling through their feeds.

Social media has also had a significant impact on the way we interact with one another. The anonymity provided by the internet has led to an increase in online harassment and cyberbullying, which can be particularly damaging to young people’s mental health. Moreover, social media has decreased privacy and security, as personal information can be easily shared and spread online.

In conclusion, social media has been both a blessing and a curse for society. On the one hand, it has revolutionized how people communicate, providing a platform for global connectivity and access to information. On the other hand, it has also led to an increase in misinformation, cyberbullying, and privacy concerns. As social media continues to evolve, it is important to find a balance between its benefits and drawbacks and to use it responsibly and mindfully.

Essay about social media topic ideas

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Is social media a blessing or a curse.

High school student in New York City

The way I see it, it all depends on how these sites, like Facebook or Twitter, are being used. Social media itself can be abused, overused, and taken advantage of. However, the power of social media itself is probably greater than the power of any person, any novel, any ruler, or even any country. But, whether that incredible power is a blessing or a curse is also one matter to question.

The power of social media can be something extremely influential. This first took a huge toll in the beginning of 2011 with the political upheaval of Egypt. The Internet's far-reaching speed combined with social media websites to create something unforgettable. The voices of Egypt stood together to overthrow the regime of Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, and they spread all throughout the world. The power of social media was also noted when Mexicans turned to it for survival, not too long ago.

At first, this served as a revolution. For the very first time, people's voices and opinions were coming together to form something larger than themselves. But we have to wonder, is that power too much? History has repeated itself in telling us that it becomes a problem when one voice has too much power. One only needs to look at people like Hitler, Idi Amin, and Mao Zong for proof that giving one voice too much power can sink an entire people or nation. And in Egypt, this corrupting nature of power turned itself over from the ruler to the subjects which resulted in the same horrific effect. From this, it is clear that social media has a way of lending itself to this attribute of power.

Another way social media can act as a curse is through its changing the behavior of our society. Some say social media sites can lend to shorter attentions and less efficient work. Not only that, but my generation, that is, teenagers, tends to abuse social media and use it for popularity. Despite social media being a term with the connotation of connecting us, that seems to be one thing it is doing least. People who abuse Facebook, for example, by requesting and accepting as many 'friends' as possible, up to thousands, are giving those relationships artificial traits. Those relationships are so scattered and insignificant that many people don't even know some of their 'friends.' These thinning relationships have no such value, and are illusions of genuine relationships. In this abuse of social media, values of building relationships and making new connections, as were the intentions of social media, are taken away and transformed wrongfully. Nevertheless, many people do use social media for positive purposes, which leads me to the side of social media that is a complete blessing to this modern world.

When used correctly, the benefits of social media can far outweigh some of its downfalls. Social media changes the world every day, in ways both small and large. For everyone who uses it, social media at least promotes and encourages communication and lends to more modern ways of learning and communicating. Not only do they lend to more efficiency in our rapidly evolving technologically advanced society, but social media sites are also some of the best ways to positively influence people by sharing your opinions. They act as platforms for your voice. If you have great ideas or want to be heard or found, websites like Google+, Twitter, and LinkedIn can promote those good intentions. Through these sites, you can find millions of people who share the same interests as you, and start making a difference, step by step.

Social media websites can operate as both curses and blessings in our modern society. The difference between it as a curse and a blessing all hangs on the shoulders of its users. You may choose to abuse the potential of Facebook, or to change the world with Twitter. The difference in your actions may be small, but the end result varies greatly, and it is up to you to decide social media's role in your life.

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Social Media Is A Blessing And A Curse

Whether we realize it or not..

Social media: A phrase we hear on a daily basis, and something that, whether we like it or not, continues to grow bigger every single day. In this day and age, people not only use social media to share pictures, opinions, and life events with people, but they also use it to stay updated on news and current events, something that once upon a time was done only through newspapers, word of mouth, and evening news shows.

Social media has evolved greatly from the days of AIM and Myspace into the powerful, life-consuming empire that is it is today. There are many perks of the interconnectedness that social media has to offer, but with these perks come a downside that shapes social media in a way that it’s both a blessing and a curse.

Social media is hard to escape. Some people embrace it, but others resent it and the presence it has in today’s society. Part of this is due to generational differences, as older generations are just being introduced to the concept of social media as they’re already entering the middle to later stages of their lives, whereas those of the millennial generation are being introduced to it at a younger age. Those of older generations are used to the days of landlines and most things being printed on paper, whereas now almost everything is transitioning into being wireless and digital. Not everyone of older generations are embracing the change, and a lot of people still prefer the more traditional manners of communication. As a result of social media, those of the millennial generation have developed this habit where we feel the need to document anything and everything, even if it’s something as simple as getting dinner with a friend or watching a sunset. This is great because it’s a way to keep up with people’s lives and what they’re up to, especially with long distance family/friends, but it can be bothersome in real life, when instead of enjoying your surroundings or company of whatever you’re doing, you become focused on making sure the world knows you’re doing it and putting it on social media. This is what we have become accustomed to, and although it has its perks, it definitely has the potential to take away from what’s happening in the moment around us. We have begun to spend our time living our lives via social media, instead of being present in the moment and embracing it without feeling the need to document it.

Social media makes it easy to share what we’re thinking and feeling with just a few swipes and taps of the finger. This is great when it comes to events that are time-sensitive or require immediate attention, and having a smartphone makes it especially easy to share thoughts and opinions without even thinking twice about it. This power to share things instantaneously manages to create a few problems, however. Since people have this ability to share their thoughts and opinions instantly on social media platforms such as Twitter, Facebook, Snapchat, etc., people have begun to post or share things without giving it a second thought, which has the potential to cause conflict among their social media friends/followers. Some people have a tendency to refrain from sharing their opinions on social media, while others voice their opinions loud and proud for all to see. It depends on the user and their preferences, and sharing things on social media sometimes has the ability to reach a large amount of people in a short amount of time. This can either be really awesome or really disastrous depending on the circumstances.

Overall, social media is great because it allows us to communicate in a different and more advanced way than we have before, but we are definitely still adjusting to it. We’re still learning how to balance real life with virtual life, whether we realize it or not. We have a tendency to forget that social media is still relatively new to us because we’re around it so much, and it’s only getting more advanced as the days continue. Social media has gained a large presence in our culture overall, and it truly is both a blessing and a curse.

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A birthday letter to my best friend, it all started with a spongebob joke..

A letter to my best friend,

I want to start by wishing you a happy birthday. You're like the big sister I always wanted, but more importantly, you're my best friend. Though we technically met in Kindergarten, we officially met at freshman orientation in high school. I can literally remember it like it were yesterday: I was terrified and clutching my red folder like it was my lifesaver in a room where I was drowning. And then, through an incredible teacher, I was introduced to you. I knew from looking at you that you were the cool kid in the room, the one who knew what was happening and didn't care about any of it. I envied your blasé attitude and I feared that my over-excitable nature would ruin a friendship before it began. And yet, you smiled and told me your name.

We found out that we had the same classes and sat together at lunch. We had the same, stupid sense of humor and bonded over Spongebob jokes. We sat at the same lunch table for four years. I remember how we told each other everything, good and bad, and received hugs all the same. I remember how senior year, you told me you were applying to one of the same schools as me. I remember when we both received acceptance letters to Notre Dame of Maryland University and swore we'd stay best friends through college. And we did. We even lived as roommates for two (and a quarter) years.

I've known you for 7, almost 8 years now and with each passing year I am more and more grateful to call you my best friend. Though life has changed our paths and you go to a different school, we still talk weekly, sometimes daily. We see each other frequently and always have some new story (and a Spongebob reference or two). My mom calls you her third daughter and your mom reminds me I'm always invited over. We're practically family at this point.

In this time, I've grown plenty, but I've watched you grow as well. I've watched you experience family struggles, heartbreak and personal struggle, but I've also watched you experience success, happiness and love. I've gotten to see you at your highest and lowest and I love you so much at times I wonder how I could have gotten so lucky to call you my friend. I'm so proud that you share all of this with me and call me your friend, that you have invited me into your home and introduced me to your incredible boyfriend.

I don't know what made God or the Fates or whichever All-Powerful Being decide that we both should be so lucky to not only know each other, but to share so much of each others' lives by being best friends, but I know I will thank them until the end of my days. I wish you the happiest of birthdays and just know that I will be here to celebrate each year with you forever and ever. As your best friend.

The shy girl with the red folder

7 Inspirational Women In History

Making history herstory..

Every single one of my history classes has thus far been the chronicle of world events as told by men about men. However, this is not because women did not have a profound effect on history or the world. Yes, we learn about some influential women, but most have been forgotten or buried in the margins of textbook. But, below is a list of seven unexpectedly inspirational women who have certainly made their mark on the world and have helped make HIStory HERstory.

1. Coco Chanel

"In order to be irreplaceable one must always be different”

Whether it’s the familiar scent of Chanel no 5 on your classy aunt or the covet-worthy quilted purse in the window of Saks, we all know the Chanel name. The iconic Chanel logo however would not be possible without its even more iconic founder Coco Chanel. Although a fashion designer, Chanel irrevocably changed the world for women. She turned the fashion world on its head by liberating women from the hated corset in favor of a more comfortable yet still elegant style. She also pioneered her famous “Chanel suit” thus empowering working women. Through the art of fashion, Chanel taught, and still continues to teach, women to break free from societal norms and constraints. She proves that women can both be well-dressed and feminine as well as strong and independent.

2. Temple Grandin

"The world needs different kinds of minds to work together."

Temple Grandin is arguably one of the most inspirational human beings to date. She is not only a renowned animal behavioral specialist, but is also on the Autism spectrum. Because of Temple’s disability, she faced many unique difficulties growing up.

For instance, she did not begin speaking until she was three and a half years old. She was also ridiculed and harassed by her school mates in high school because of her differences. Her disability caused strife even within her own family; her mother and father divorced when she was 15 largely because of the stresses of raising Temple. Despite her struggles, Temple eventually found her passion for science and animals.

With the support of her mother, teachers, therapists and loved ones, she went on to receive her doctoral in animal science. Additionally, she has become a major spokesperson for Autism and has served as an inspiration to thousands worldwide. Temple Grandin shows us that no matter what obstacles or hardships we face in life, we can still achieve both greatness and happiness through perseverance and dedication.

3. Lise Meitner

"Science makes people reach selflessly for truth and objectivity; it teaches people to accept reality, with wonder and admiration, not to mention the deep awe and joy that the natural order of things brings to the true scientist."

Lise Meitner was an Austrian physicist who, alongside chemist Otto Hahn, discovered Nuclear fission. Meitner was an absolutely brilliant scientist, and collaborated on research at the Kaiser-Wilhelm-Institute with Hahn. The two had not only become a scientific powerhouse, but also close friends.

Meitner was on the verge of a breakthrough, but was forced to flee the country because of the anti-Jewish Nazi regime. Via letters, she continued to collaborate with Hahn, and they eventually discovered nuclear fission. However, Otto Hahn and co-collaborator Fritz Strassman took all credit for the discovery and excluded her from the publication as well as subsequent accolades including the Nobel Prize. Despite this heartbreak, Meitner still proves to the world that women can be and are exceptional scientists, whether or not they are given the due credit.

4. Josephine Baker

"Surely the day will come when color means nothing more than the skin tone, when religion is seen uniquely as a way to speak one's soul, when birth places have the weight of a throw of the dice and all men are born free, when understanding breeds love and brotherhood."

Josephine Baker was born in 1906 in St. Louis, Missouri. She had a difficult childhood rattled with extreme poverty and racism. Often times she was hungry, and while working as an in-house domestic was abused. At age 13 she was married, but left shortly after to pursue her passion for theater as a vaudeville performer.

She became a hugely successful and widely popular dancer. She eventually moved to Paris and became a French citizen. When discussing her move, Baker said, “I wanted to get far away from those who believed in cruelty, so then I went to France, a land of true freedom, democracy, equality and fraternity.”

Josephine went on to pursue her career in show business. She also worked for the Red Cross in WWII and as a Civil Rights supporter. Josephine Baker shattered the glass ceiling and continues to be an inspiration for women of every color.

5. Frida Kahlo

"I paint self-portraits because I am so often alone, because I am the person I know best."

Frida Kahlo is one of the greatest painters and feminists of the modern era. Kahlo’s life was very much colored with pain ranging from her contraction of polio at age six, growing up during the Mexican Revolution, a traumatic bus accident, her tumultuous marriage to artist Diego Rivera and several miscarriages. Kahlo’s art was influenced and sometimes a direct reflection of the painful experiences in her life. Through her struggles, Kahlo inspires us to create something meaningful out of the pain that we will inevitably face in life. Furthermore, Frida challenged typical beauty standards through her art. She teaches women to embrace their own natural beauty in the face of the societal pressures for perfection and conformity.

6. Malala Yousafzai

“If one man can destroy everything, why can't one girl change it?”

When reading the above quote, no one other than the speaker herself comes to mind. Although only 18, Malala has made tremendous waves not only in Pakistan, but the world at large. She has been an advocate and fighter for woman’s rights from a very young age, despite the adversity she has been confronted with.

At age 15, she was shot by the Taliban on her school bus because of her desire and persistence to pursue an education. This did not deter Malala, in fact it only strengthened her resolve and influence. Since then, Malala has continued to fight for women’s rights and children’s education. She went on to be the youngest Nobel Peace Prize laureate. In the face of terror and hatred, Malala acts with grace and courage. Her bravery and determination makes her a role model for every woman.

7. Audrey Hepburn

"I believe in being strong when everything seems to be going wrong. I believe that happy girls are the prettiest girls. I believe that tomorrow is another day, and I believe in miracles."

Audrey Hepburn is remembered as one of the greatest actresses of the Golden Age of Hollywood, an international fashion icon and a humanitarian. She starred in numerous movies and shows and received many awards for her work. She was also featured on the covers of countless magazines and still is seen on present day fashion blogs.

Yet what sets Audrey apart from every other starlet is her work as a humanitarian and her inspiring personal story. As a young girl, Audrey lived under German occupation in the Netherlands. She suffered from malnutrition and other hardships as a result. However, she actively participated in the Dutch resistance. Inspired by her painful childhood and grateful for her subsequent success, Hepburn became a UNICEF Ambassador. Audrey Hepburn was a true Renaissance woman. As a mother, celebrity, philanthropist, survivor and a lady, she teaches us women can in fact have it all.

An Ode To Dogs

We fall in love with them wholeheartedly, and they love us just the same..

Those of you who know me probably know that I am obsessed with dogs. All dogs. Any dog.

My love for dogs makes me do things like walk up to strangers on the street to pet their dog or cry uncontrollably when a dog dies in a movie. When I have my own house, I plan to own as many dogs as my home will allow me to fit.

I’m not quite sure how my love for dogs got started, but I don’t mind it. Who couldn’t love dogs? Sorry, cat people, but I just don’t get you.

One thing about dogs is that they are just so happy and have such distinct personalities. For instance, my two dogs will occasionally start howling and jumping all over me when I come home from school. Who doesn’t love that? And their personalities are completely different. Heidi is so sweet and loving, but you better not sneeze while she is the in the room because she will dart out of there. She is scared of everything. While Pepper, on the other hand, is occasionally a little mean and aggressive. She likes to be in charge and loves to boss me around. Dogs just all have such different personalities, which might be what we love about them. Because when you think about it, it is kind of strange how we let animals that still chase other animals, lick themselves, and eat slugs (like my dog) live in our homes and sleep beside us in our beds.

The thing that is best about them, though, is just how much they love us. They don’t judge us when they see us eating junk food that we really shouldn’t; instead they just want us to share it. They happily oblige when we pick up their front paws and force them to dance with us around the house. They just sit there beside you when you have had a rough day and lean over to give you a little lick on the hand just to let you know they are there. They are always there for us, they love us unconditionally, and they treat us a whole lot better than most humans do.

27 Thoughts You Have During a Snowstorm

East coast finally gets a snow storm it deserves.

Now, living in Blacksburg, we have plenty of cold winter days even when it isn’t winter any more. We had days off classes last semester in early March. We get snow when we aren’t supposed to and then don’t get it when students are hoping for it. In the dead of winter, its 60 degrees outside and people are wearing shorts. But when it does start to snow, here is what many of you might be thinking.

1. AHH SNOW!!! 2. Oh… snow… 3. That means its really cold out. 4. I'll bundle up and go sledding! 5. I really hope classes get cancelled 6. A snow day would mean I could catch up on all my work. 7. HA not really; I'll probably sit in bed and watch Netflix all day. 8. I could build a snowman or something. 9. A snowflake just hit me in the eye. 10. I’m covered in snow. Help. 11. I don’t like this anymore. 12. There’s no parking because of these damn snow piles. 13. I’m scared to drive on the roads. 14. Why is it so icy outside? 15. WHY WON'T THE SNOW MELT? 16. Ah, finally its getting warmer. 17. Wait, what were supposed to get another five inches tomorrow?! 18. No. 19. I’m canceling classes for myself. 20. The temperature is in the negatives?! 21. Why did I decide it would be a good idea to go to school here? 22. I knew it would be cold and snowy. 23. I want spring break. 24. I want the beach. 25. I won't ever complain about the heat again. 26. Please just let it melt. 27. Andddd great more snow.

The 10 Most Expensive Colleges Right Now

These tuitions exemplify costs being out of control in american education.

The rankings are in, and these colleges & universities are the costliest in 2023.

Based on tuition & fees for the 2022-23 academic year, not counting the extra charge of room & board, here are the top 10 most expensive colleges, per The College Investor . See if one of them is from your state.

10. Harvey Mudd College (California)

$62,516 sticker price

9. Brown University (Rhode Island)

$62,680 sticker price

8. Haverford College (Pennsylvania)

$62,850 sticker price

7. Boston College (Massachusetts)

$62,950 sticker price

6. USC (California)

$63,468 sticker price

5. Tufts University (Massachusetts)

$63,804 sticker price

4. Vassar College (New York)

$63,840 sticker price

3. Reed College (Oregon)

$64,450 sticker price

2. Columbia University (New York)

$65,524 sticker price

1. Franklin & Marshall College (Pennsylvania)

$65,652 sticker price

Narrowly missing the cut, but rounding out the Top 20 most expensive colleges:

All have something in common: tuition & fees are $60k or more. That means a 4-year cost of $240k or higher, and again not counting room & board, books, etc. Can costs go any higher?

Top Creators

1. Brittany Morgan, National Writer's Society 2. Radhi, SUNY Stony Brook 3. Kristen Haddox , Penn State University 4. Jennifer Kustanovich , SUNY Stony Brook 5. Clare Regelbrugge , University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

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Why is social media bad for others.

In today's time, social media is widely used by most people and most who use it claims that it is beneficial to their everyday lives. Many people argue that social media is bad for others because it is distracting them and causing themselves harm by falling or running into others but that is because they dont pay attention, with the right amount of awareness it is very helpful. For some the only way to stay connected to businesses, familly, friends, and world problems is through places like Facebook and Twitter. Social media is more helpful in more ways than one especially when trying to get communications long distances.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Social Media and Easily Obtainable Information

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Social Media's Impact On Society

Most Think that social media doesn’t have any negative sides. When you think of social media what do you think of. People who use social media don 't think about how it can beneficial or not. how about this if you asked your self what would it be like to not have social media. would you benefit from it or would you need it. Most importantly this paper is to inform the reader whether or not it’s inserting. Let start with this question, What is social media? A form of electronic communication (as Web sites and social networking) through which users create online communities to share information, ideas, personal messages, and other content (as videos). Social Media comes to a point on whether social media has a positive or negative out look on people in general. Social media effects both on privacy, theft, cyberbullying, advertising and much more on social media. If do don 't believe me go on to you computer and try and look up positive view of social media and you will see that there aren’t any good thing on social media. The importance of social media and not just the positive and negative views. The important details are the Face to Face connections, Time Wasting. Isolation and privacy are another of many in the two main drawbacks of social media that you should be worried about when using it.

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Social media has become prominent parts of life for many young people today. Most people engage with social media without stopping to think what the effects are on our lives, whether positive or negative. Are we as a society becoming more concerned with Facebook "friends" than we are with the people we interact with face-to-face in our daily lives? What will the longterm effects of today 's social media use be? There are many positive aspects, but there are equally as many dangers that come with the use of sites such as Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Pinterest, Google +, Tumblr, Instagram, gaming sites, and blogs. Social media has both negative and positive effects on society, it is up to the user to decide what impact they want to make. In order to make the right choices, we must dig in and research this topic thoroughly.

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6 Works Cited

Like technology, our species has adapted to fit modern times. Through these adaptations, we have begun to communicate through our newly developed technology by means of social media. In today’s society, we are surrounded by sites such as Facebook, Twitter, E-Mail, and various other websites that can often times consume our lives. While social media has plenty of advantages, it also has disadvantages that often times get ignored. As Internet users, it is important to examine these disadvantages and make sure we understand the negative sides to social media.

Sociological Impact On Social Media

With the proliferation of technologies, especially the Internet, social networking has become ubiquitous in the modern world. Social networking tools like Facebook, Twitter, etc. are the impetus that is ever facilitating rapid creation and exchange of ideas to promote and aid communication. Humans interact by being social, therefore sociology analyses the changes in the social trend. Understanding the sociological perspective on the effects of social media, we find that the social aspect has changed. Comparing the past and present status of our society, it is obvious that there has been a transformation which all points towards the evolution of social media. Social media has changed our culture and has impacted on the way people meet, interact and share ideas; it has changed the perception of how people should communicate with the society. Social interactions have been defined to be an exchange among individuals with the aim of strengthening the society. Social interaction is building block in every society when people meet and interact; they define rules, systems, and institutions in which they will live by. On the other hand, social media is known as a platform that allows people to network and socialize through applications and websites that have been innovated. Though social media could be used as a useful tool to communicate with friends, family and even with people you do not know, however, researchers show that social media is absolutely harming human's skills to have

Social Media and its Impact Essay

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Social media is a controversy topic in today’s society. Some people think that social media destroys human interaction and real life human relationships. While others think that social media is a bless to humanity. Social media makes human interaction much more convenient and much faster than real life human interaction, it makes globalization a reality, it gives a chance for introverted people to express themselves, and it also benefit develop international relationships whether its business or social.

Positive and Negative Effects of Social Media Essay

Social media is any website that allows social interaction. Social media is growing rapidly throughout the world. More adults and teenagers are joining sites such as Facebook, MySpace, and Twitter to interact with friends, family, and strangers. The introduction of social media has changed the world in many ways. It affects each individual in different ways. Today it can be used as a very helpful tool in changing a person’s life, but at the same time cause such conflicts which can negatively impact a person. While there are some negatives associated with social media, the positives in communication all around, has made the world stronger and a better place to live in.

Media Improve Communication

The creation of social media is important technology that has positive effects on individual’s life. Also, It can help to people have a great communication with each other that is very useful. On the other hand, some people argue that social media provide a negative effect in our lives. In additional, they believe, some people might use these tools in the wrong way. For example, some people use this tool for a long time that waste their time. However, I believe networking sites is a very important innovation for having a better communication with other people. In my opinion,there are several ways that prove social media improves the way that we communicate with each other, including possibility of voice and video calls, improve business with build relationship between people and ability share information to each other.

Ruining Social Media

A lot of people say social media is ruining communication, promoting harmful habits, ruining people’s health, and does a lousy job at keeping their sites secure. On the opposing side of the argument, social media is claimed to be improving society. One example is by enhancing relationships, social media has been shown to provide useful skills and habits, can provide health benefits, and does a respectable job at keeping their sites secure.

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Social Media: A Blessing or a Curse?

Social media has fully developed in the last few years. A coin has two sides. So does this technology which has spread like wildfire. Life before this innovation was very different and now it has introduced many unrecognizable changes. Here are a few disadvantages and advantages of those changes:

Disadvantages

The more it’s growing, the more people are reaping its benefits along with its disadvantage. Here are six main disadvantages of social media:

1. Cyberbullying

Before social media, everything was simple even when it came to bullying. With the advent of the internet, a new form of bullying has been introduced and it’s known as Cyberbullying. Cyberbullying is basically teasing someone by creating a fake account. With a fake account, you are able to do everything without anyone knowing about your real identity. Bullying like this has become easy through the internet. Before when there was no such thing as Cyberbullying; people bullying other people used to get caught easily. Sending threats, messages that contain intimidation and rumours are all part of Cyberbullying.

2. Hacking

In addition to Cyberbullying, another main disadvantage is hacking. Hacking is basically stealing someone’s personal data and invading privacy to share with other people. This can cause a big loss to personal lives. Similarly, stealing an individual’s identity can also result in major financial losses. It’s all now enabled because of hacking. Accounts on Facebook and Twitter have been hacked in the past and the hacker has posted inappropriate things from these accounts that have affected their personal lives.

3. Reputation

As mentioned earlier, hacking can ruin someone’s life. This also includes ruining their reputation. Through hacking, a person can easily create false stories and this can easily get spread all over the media like fire. Likewise, businesses that have a bad reputation on networking sites can face financial disaster and the inability to sell their products.

4. Fraud and scams

Many frauds and scams have been reported on social sites where individuals have been duped by other people into believing something or buying something only to find out later that it was false all along. There are many influencers and bloggers on Instagram and Facebook and it’s hard to find out who offer authentic engagement and which ones are just flashy frauds.

5. Addiction

Social media is quite addictive and this part of the technology is highly damaging and detrimental for personal lives. Teenagers have been the main target of these sites where they get extremely involved and eventually, isolate themselves from society. Their lives depend on it and instead of indulging in productive tasks and activities that can be beneficial for them and society; they choose to waste their time on social networking sites.

6. Health issues

The excess use of networking sites has created many health issues. These health issues include both physical and mental instability. People who are addictive to these sites are experiencing many negative side effects such as headache, eye strain, social withdrawal, and sleep deprivation. Moreover, it’s triggering more sadness instead of wellbeing. We are continuously comparing our lives with other people and the pressure to look perfect all the time has made us go into depression.

Here’s how this technology is a blessing for us:

1. Connectivity

The primary advantage of social media is connectivity. People from all over the world can connect with each other easily. Considering the fact, that our world has various religions and belief systems that separate us and create boundaries, networking sites are that one blessing that has eradicated these boundaries. Regardless of their beliefs, religion or culture, this technology has promoted peace in a way. It has made everyone stand equally on one platform without the existence of such differences. It is the actual beauty of social media. You are able to connect with anyone and share your thoughts and opinions with the world without the fear of being judged on who you are.

2. Education

3. Help and assistance

Another primary advantage of this innovation has been how there are sections and groups on Facebook and Twitter which have dedicated all of their efforts and time to help people out who are facing any issues regarding their workplace, their educational institute or anything personal going on in their life like financial losses. People all around the world volunteer to listen to you and understand your problem.

4. Information and regular updates

When technology did not give birth to this innovation, people had no idea what was going around the world. Now they are able to educate and update themselves with the current happenings. Televisions and print media have limitations on them and they do not convey the right information all the time, but this platform is guaranteed to provide with the right information and facts which will require a little bit of researching.

5. Improve businesses reputation

Just like it can ruin the reputation of any business as mentioned above, it can also improve the reputation and increase their revenue. Positive comments and reviews can bring a huge difference to their sales and goodwill. Everyone knows how social media enables people to share everything freely. Therefore, sharing positive feedback and comments will let them know that you are not lying and the product the business is selling is actually good.

6. Building communities

People with the same religion and belief systems can easily connect with each other and discuss their issues. It helps in building and participating in our own community. Individuals who love gaming can connect with other individuals who love gaming as well. In this way, they can promote peace and unification.

To conclude, the above-mentioned points are some of the advantages and disadvantages of this innovation. These points indicate that along with being a huge blessing, it also has some harmful side effects which can ruin an individual’s life.

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Essay - Social Media Blessing or Curse

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Social Media: Is it a Blessing or a Curse - Essay Example

Extract of sample "Social Media: Is it a Blessing or a Curse"

These comments made her even more isolated and embarrassed, making it difficult to mingle with friends. The continued feelings of rejection, embarrassment, and isolation were too much for her.This tragic death has many questioning the much talked about the benefits of social media. Is social media supposed to make more ‘social’ or ‘antisocial?’ is it really a blessing as many thinks, or is social media a curse? Holly’s father said that she was a bubbly character who loved friends.

From this, one would expect that social media, Facebook, in particular, would give her the opportunity to make more friends and be loved. Unfortunately, the reverse happened. It is the very platform that is supposed to enhance friendships that turned against her. Holly was a victim of cyberbullying. In the modern era of digital communication, more people are becoming victims of cyberbullying. The fact that people have a higher degree of freedom on social media gives them the opportunity to attack and harass others in this virtual space.

As a result, many of the friends on social media turn out to be our real enemies. Meena, Mittal, and Solanki conducted research on the use of social networking sites among school-going teenagers. In their findings, the authors report that cyberbullying and sexual harassment are likely outcomes of social media usage among teenagers2. False and vulgar comments are posted online by mischievous persons whose aim is to torment the victims psychologically.

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Free Internet, a Blessing or a Curse Essay Sample

Introduction.

The internet has enabled faster access of information worldwide. It is the cheapest means to accessing any information. The internet is defined as a tool that can link up all the people in the world who have interconnected computers. We depend on the internet nowadays so much, with its convenience but again it can act as a weapon against us. Therefore the question to ask is: is the internet a blessing or a curse?

As students, we depend on the internet so much to do our assignments. It is faster and saves a lot of time. It has tones and tones of information as compared to our library. Surfing the internet is considered cheaper ways of accessing information than flipping through books or newspapers. Today's youth find it so easy to Google for anything on the internet. The question that lingers among many is whether it is safer to browse through the internet. Is the internet safer for people to use? Is it a blessing or a nuisance that will has contributed to retarding the youths? It is no good either to say that the internet is a curse or harmful. The internet is playing the role of relaying information across the world and helping billions of people all over to stay connected and share information.

The internet has helped several people who have connection to it to have friends all over the world. People are able to socialize, without necessarily going out, just by a click and connect with people we want. This essay will examine whether the discovery of the internet is a curser or a blessing.

Social networking sites have greatly been a boon to internet users. These sites like facebook, twitter and MySpace have enabled people to connect all over the world. These sites have helped in creating and establish social contacts. But the question is: how far can these social sites go to be safe and secure for their users. Do they provide enough security to the people to the users or are the users disclosing their personal information to strangers. The reasons why the internet remains a big hit among young people is also another question that is pondered. Like during Valentines Day, there were many blind dates planned by a number of the social sites users. Most of these were young people, although a few adults are into these social sites.

Internet has brought us many advantages; we depend on it so much nowadays. In fact we have not only been obsessed with it but addicted to it that we cannot do without it. This is a network that can link millions of people all over the world. Students use the internet for their assignments and can access any information online

These days, the youth who have been addicted to the internet need to be given proper guidance and counseling. Before committing themselves or entering into any social site dating or any kind of relationship, the youth need to bear the following points in mind:

Internet is a useful tool that if used correctly, has several advantages to its users. Students use the internet for their assignments and can access any information online. It is a news media and can be used by those who know to earn money online. Social networking sites have been poplar among the youth but with guidance and counseling, they can be of benefit.

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#COVID19: Social media both a blessing and a curse during coronavirus pandemic

Professor, Sociology, York University, Canada

York Research Chair in Global Digital Citizenship, Associate Professor, Department of Sociology, York University, Canada

Disclosure statement

S. Harris Ali receives funding from the IDRC/CIHR/SSHRC Rapid Research Fund for Ebola.

Fuyuki Kurasawa has received funding from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada for a project entitled 'Knowing Through Crowdsourcing: A Critical Analysis of Public Controversies about Global Problems.'

York University provides funding as a member of The Conversation CA.

York University provides funding as a member of The Conversation CA-FR.

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We are facing an unprecedented crisis of public understanding. Western digital corporations and social media platforms (Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Instagram, Snapchat and Reddit) and their Chinese equivalents (WeChat, Weibo, Tencent and Toutiao) are at the heart of this crisis. These platforms act as facilitators and multipliers of COVID-19-related misinformation.

Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the director-general of the World Health Organization (WHO), noted that urgent measures must now be taken to address the “ coronavirus infodemic .”

This infodemic compromises outbreak response and increases public confusion about who and what information sources to trust; generates fear and panic due to unverified rumours and exaggerated claims; and promotes xenophobic and racist forms of digital vigilantism and scapegoating.

Governments, public health authorities and digital corporations need to not only promote digital literacy , but combat ways in which the impact of social media may be spawning an irreversible post-truth age , even after the COVID-19 pandemic dissipates.

Misinformation during outbreaks

Misinformation has been pervasive in other recent large-scale outbreaks. In the 2018 elections in the Democratic Republic of Congo, suspicions were raised when the ruling government cancelled national elections in Ebola-affected areas, eliminating opposition votes .

Rumours are a second form of misinformation. One popular conspiracy theory held that the virus was developed as a means to wage a biological war against China. In China, a rumour spread that bioweapons research in a Wuhan laboratory resulted in the genetic engineering of COVID-19 that was then released . Such rumours may have even jeopardized the working relationship between Western scientists and their Chinese counterparts searching for a COVID-19 vaccine .

Untrue, exaggerated and dubious medical claims and hoaxes are other common forms of misinformation. Various unproven natural and traditional remedies were proffered as cures to both Ebola and COVID-19, such as drinks that contained mint and spices like saffron and turmeric that spread in Iran through Twitter.

Influencing outbreak outcomes

During times of emergency and disaster, urgent questions arise and require immediate response. The problem is that officials don’t consistently provide the accurate information that’s required very quickly.

A post-truth society is one in which subjective opinions and unverified claims rival valid scientific and biomedical facts in their public influence. The need for evidence to support reasoned arguments becomes downplayed, while at the same time, the social norm concerning how and why people should be held accountable for what they say is weakened.

Scientists and other experts ultimately lose social legitimacy and authority in the eyes of the public because what they bring to the table is no longer valued.

When complex emergencies arise, public officials are cautious about making premature pronouncements, instead carefully crafting statements to ensure accuracy and avoid the pitfalls of misinterpretation and exaggeration. Somewhat paradoxically, this careful approach may also contribute to the formation of an information vacuum that rumours and falsehoods are all too ready to fill.

In the digital age, the time needed to analyze, assess and communicate information cannot compete with the instantaneous spreading of misinformation on social media platforms .

The impact of social media misinformation may be even more pronounced because of confirmation bias, the tendency to accept statements that reinforce our established views and to downplay statements that counter these views .

Misinformation & xenophobia

Racist content spread through social media may reinforce already pre-existing biases and prejudices. Xenophobic reactions that emerged during the 2003 SARS outbreaks in Toronto, amongst other cities, are being repeated during the current COVID-19 pandemic.

What’s different now is how easily social media can fuel this behaviour. A particularly poignant illustration is a viral WeChat rumour that a particular Chinese restaurant in Canada employed someone with COVID-19 and that health officials had closed the restaurant. The restaurant lost 80 per cent of its revenue .

Social media also facilitates a form of prejudiced collective organizing that, similar to crowdsourcing, rapidly enlists a large number of people, yet does so on the basis of questionable claims and beliefs. An online petition compiled by 8,000 people north of Toronto demanded that the school board ban students whose family members had recently travelled to China from attending school .

The information vacuum

During the early stages of the 2003 SARS outbreak in China, people shared information about the outbreak through simple text messaging. Despite efforts by the government to not share information about the outbreak with the WHO, information about “atypical pneumonia” circulated widely.

With COVID-19, the Chinese state’s censorship of and control over online content created an information vacuum. Despite this, citizens have used social media to express veiled criticism of government mismanagement and lack of government accountability.

During the early stages of the outbreak, before the Chinese government was releasing any information, ophthalmologist Li Wenliang — a whistleblower for COVID-19 — posted messages on the spread of a SARS-like illness. As screenshots of his posts went viral, he was disciplined by local police for promoting “untrue speech.” Li died of complications from the virus on Feb. 7, 2020.

News of his death dominated Chinese social media, with a flurry of messages expressing grief as well as anger directed at the government. “Dr. Li Wenliang passed away” became the top search record on Weibo. State censors intervened to remove posts on Li’s death, but public outrage led to increased demands for free speech and greater information transparency from the government.

By contrast, as the outbreak intensifies, social media has taken on new and increased importance with the large-scale implementation of social distancing, quarantine measures and lockdowns of complete cities. Social media platforms have become a way to enable homebound people survive isolation and seek help, co-ordinate donations, entertain and socialize with each other.

Global communications

The frequency of disease outbreaks like the one we’re currently witnessing will increase, given the ways in which connections between human beings and nature continue to intensify.

Pandemics will require co-ordinated global response strategies. Digital corporations and social media platforms can and must be at the heart of these strategies, since their responses and willingness to collaborate with governments and public health officials will determine whether social media is viewed as a beneficial or pathological vector of pandemic response.

At present, it’s imperative to develop policies and mechanisms that address the digital creation and spread of misinformation about disease outbreaks. To do this will require that biomedical knowledge about pandemics be supplemented by expertise about their social, political and cultural underpinnings.

Without that understanding, efforts to contain COVID-19 will be hindered by “ spreading unnecessary panic and confusion, and driving division, when solidarity and collaboration are key to saving lives and ending the health crisis .”

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Social Media, a Blessing or a Curse?

We are living in a modern age of internet when no one deny the presence of social media. Everyone uses different social media platforms either to connect or socialize with their loved ones. Many also use some social media sites only to show off their wealth and lifestyle. There is nothing wrong in it but as a matter of fact some social media platforms were basically made so that people can flex their money, clothes and lifestyle. One of the most prominent examples could be of so-called influencers having thousands or even millions of followers on their accounts such as on Instagram.

The world has changed a lot in the last decade or so. After the creation of the Internet, the world has become a global village. Information is accessible everywhere and any time. In 90s we used to send letters to our friends and family members, and it took days to reach the destination. Now with the blessing of internet we can write emails and send messages through WhatsApp and can communicate with each other without any delay.

In this pandemic where Coronavirus has completely changed our way of living, just imagine if there was no internet no Zoom or Discord how we could have survived in this situation. Now somehow with many apps available in the market we were able to minimize the impact of this pandemic and continue our routine work. Classes are conducted online due to which students do not have to waste their time sitting idle at home. A lot of educational websites are providing discounts on various courses which will help people to enhance their skills.

In other words, no one can deny the benefits of the internet. But like Uncle Ben said to Spider-Man.

“With great powers comes great responsibility.”

Internet also provides a heaven to a number of social media sites. Have you ever noticed how much time you spend on your mobile phone scrolling through newsfeed of different social media platforms? Most of the time you check your phone just to see if there are any messages on WhatsApp and then unconsciously you switch either to Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Snapchat etc. and spend a couple of hours doing nothing.

Negative Effects of Social Media on Health

According to a study, the average daily social media usage of internet users is around 144 minutes per day. Many health experts recommend 30 minutes or less as the maximum time you should spend on social media. According to a research in 2018, limiting use to 30 minutes a day can lead to better health outcomes. Numerous users of social media who use internet for more than 6 hours have reported memory loss and sleeping problems.

In fact, the main purpose of social media apps is to make sure that the users spend most of their time on their sites. This helps them in generating more revenue by showing more ads to their audience. Most of the users unconsciously become a “Phone Addict”, also called Nomophobia (an abbreviation of no-mobile-phone-phobia”) and start spending a lot of their precious time on these sites. Consequently, one of the symptoms of a “Phone Addict” include experiencing anxiety or panic over losing the phone. Obsessively checking for missed calls, emails, and texts and using phone in inappropriate places like bathroom etc.

After becoming a “Phone-Addict” you start living a life on autopilot which means there is nothing in your life on which you have control over. It feels like someone else is driving or taking decisions of your life instead of you.

In this pandemic, a lot of people have reported eye-sight problems as well. Doctors have termed this as Corona-Vision because people at home while sitting idle spend most of their time either watching TV or using social media sites which is affecting their eye side.

How to get rid of Social Media addiction?

These methods will take some time to have an impact on your life, but they will definitely ensure that social media becomes a blessing for you and not a curse.

In today’s world nearly everyone knows the pros and cons of internet and social media. You do not need to completely delete every social media account. There should be a balance in your life because in the end only you are responsible for your deeds. With a regulated usage you can really bear fruits provided by social media sites without wasting time or damaging your mental health.

Also read: 3 industries that use fiber optics

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Social Media - A Blessing or a Curse?

2 Pages 573 Words February 2016

Due to the development of social media and social network, it’s hard to find someone has not heard of Tumblr, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and tons of other social networks. Nowadays, social media has made significant impacts as well as negative effects on some areas like equality, creativity, and career advancement. Social media is a powerful weapon for spreading information and also a great tool for cyber-bullying. For example, the gay community, they have used social media to form and promote specific groups like Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender around the world to fight for their equality. However, gay community also has strongly suffered with discrimination from homophobic all over the world. September 2010, eighteen years old Tyler Clementi committed suicide after his roommate has uploaded a video of him having a romantic interact with another boy (Foderaro). He had been bullied for being openly gay. On the other hand, same-sex marriage was the number one topic on blogs and number three subject on Twitter. 40% bloggers and 41% Twitter users support for same-sex marriage on social media (Mitchell). In fact, on June 26th, 2015, the US Supreme Court declared that gay marriage or same-sex marriage has become legal in all 50 states. Visual art and design are the most favorable media shared on social network. Social network allows designers and artists to show their projects, explore new ideas, inspire others or propaganda purpose. By joining a Pinterest board or follow a Tumblr page, people can find tons of styles and ideas in a short time and less effort. Adobe Systems Inc created a portfolio social network called bechance.net. It’s specialized for photographers, designers, and artists to share their own ideas and receive feedback from others. According to Toni Morrison, only artists can help us understand the inconceivable. In fact, people who can’t read can easily imagine the details of an event from a single pictur...

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Digital Society

May 7, 2021

The Internet: A Blessing or a Curse?

How the internet has evolved, the pros and cons and how being a Digital Citizen has changed me

T he way the world has changed in the past 50 years has been absolutely staggering. From the early start of the internet, which can be traced back to 1945, we now find that most of us heavily struggle to go a single day without using the internet. Especially in living through a pandemic, I think everyone has had no choice but to be more digitally active than ever. We’ve moved from buying newspapers and CDs (as pointed out by a fellow digital society citizen below) to be able to have a device with nearly everything we could need in our front pocket. Included in this is generations of young adults, including myself who grew up on the internet. More to this, I couldn’t imagine a life without it. When being told stories of my parents travelling to a record store, Good Vibrations , every weekend to buy the latest release they’d heard on the radio is something I can never relate to.

The Internet: Our Best Friend

The internet, originally designed for military use and then communication between researchers has evolved significantly. Now, we find ourselves living in the digital age where we are surrounded by technology. Today, research suggests that the internet is actively used by 4.66 billion people as of January 2021 which has steadily increased yearly and is for a huge range of purposes. There are clearly reasons why the internet is so popular.

-Staying Connected

Firstly, the internet allows for an immense amount of rapid communication. Social media allows for a large number of people to keep up to date with each other and professionally to instantly communicate with colleagues. Instantly, especially with increasing active users, it has never been easier to keep up with your friends or favourite celebrities. This has never been more felt than it was during the pandemic. Social interaction has been found to be absolutely critical for both mental and physical health . So when everyone all around the world was being kept indoors there was a significant spike in both loneliness and mental illness . Helping with this was the internet: one of the only legal ways to interact with others at the time.

‘ Social interaction is good for your brain health ’

-Seemingly Endless Information at Your Fingertips

The internet seems to have the answer to virtually every question you could think of, as long as you can type it into a search engine. You can check out any medical symptom you have online at a moments notice deciding whether you need attention and in turn improving mental and physical health , on top of strain on hospitals. Media sites such as YouTube are a hub of practical information that you could use in your everyday life from cooking tutorials to how to tie your shoes and seemingly everything in-between. On top of this, these are growing all the time. As the internet continues to mature there will only be more and more information shared on it and therefore more to digest.

-Instant Spreadability of News

Nowadays, when any major world event happens every single person with an internet connection finds out about it instantly . Whether this is a political update, sports scores or the latest celebrity scandal you have the ability for live updates. This allows a largely shortened time that it can take individuals to receive information. This can be significantly important in specific areas such as local news, traffic updates or what the weather will be.

-Increased Business Opportunities

Many businesses have benefitted greatly from adopting an online presence. Whether this be from a marketing sense (such as online adverts) or a distribution sense (such as online shopping) businesses are doing their best to use the internet to their advantage . This adds a whole new sector of businesses that purely make their money online such as ‘ ghost kitchens: ’ a restaurant doing all their business via online delivery apps.

The Internet: Our Worst Enemy

Previously, I mentioned the benefit that the internet has on news media. Instantly spreadable and digestible content has benefits to those it reaches but it also bred a new exploitative wave in content. ‘Fake News’ is a term describing falsified or misleading news stories which are presented as real. False stories have also been shown to spread around 6x faster than real news stories begging the question: can you really believe anything you read online?

-Privacy Concerns

Going online it seems nearly inevitable that all of our private information will be entered at some point. Our address(es) and payment information when buying something or our location from our public IP address is valuable information that could do real damage in the wrong hands . In a world where recently data has surpassed oil as the worlds most valuable resource , there is a lot of importance in accessing this information. Coupling this with common recent leaks of this private information (such as the 2016 Panama Papers ): these violate the basic human right to privacy.

-Automation

Although there are benefits of increased technology, there are a growing number of jobs becoming obsolete. For every holiday ordered online, there is less need for a travel agent. For every grocery shop ordered online, there is less need for a bank teller. These could end up making entire professions obsolete.

-Personal Reflection

My Experience

Personally, having grown up around the internet I have used it for every random question or rough translation I could ever have needed. Also, I am currently on the verge of completing my second year of university: one where I have not attended a single in-person university activity. These show my reliance as of late on the internet within my everyday life. Because of this, it seems logical to learn more about what you're doing. I was able to learn about the importance of internet ethics and even the role that data has in politics .

Thinking Outside the Box

Digital Society has really added a unique element to my university experience. Firstly, using a new platform in Medium has allowed me to interact with other students in a way that I haven't been able to do this year. Students sharing content about the same topics and viewpoints is interesting to compare and contrast to mine. Beyond that, producing creditable work provides an extra incentive for producing exciting content.

A New Outlook

Learning about the history of our Digital Society, specifically the internet, has really changed my outlook on it. Previously mentioned was my failure to understand my parents travelling to a record store, this course has made me reassess how quickly online activities change between generations. When I was a child there was no Facebook, no Snapchat but now I am nearly dependent on these to communicate with others. There are children being born into a new generation: with even more advancements to be made. There is a need to keep up to date with the current culture, as a child you are born into them and quickly develop habits. I have learnt the importance of not getting stuck in your ways and keep up to date with our society. The current era of our Digital Society has so many new positives and negatives that could not have been predicted even as far as a decade ago. The importance of these pros and cons are ones that come with an ever-changing world.

One thing beyond keeping up with our Digital Society is what this society will look like. The internet specifically has changed so much since its incarnation and now your digital footprint is bigger than ever. In the future, there may be others unaware of how this digital footprint can affect how employers and others view them. Being told the story of young elected MP Mhairi Black having old tweets surface after being elected really showed me the effect that this has. The future appears to be relying more and more on technology so I feel that this entire experience has left me better equipped to understand, adapt to and deal with the pros and cons that will come with this. Especially, when within the workplace, I feel as though I will have an increased understanding of the digital use.

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Exploring how digital technologies shape society: challenges, themes and implications. Featuring student and staff writers. Views expressed are those of their authors and not necessarily the University of Manchester.

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Please note you do not have access to teaching notes, social media: a blessing or a curse voice of owners in the beauty and wellness industry.

The TQM Journal

ISSN : 1754-2731

Article publication date: 2 August 2021

Issue publication date: 24 November 2022

The rise in the use of Internet technologies and social media has shifted the marketing practices from offline to online. This study aims to determine the pros and cons of social media marketing in the beauty and wellness industry.

Design/methodology/approach

In-depth interviews were conducted with the owners and marketing executives of beauty and wellness centers to understand the use of popular social media platforms in this industry and their pros and cons.

The researchers identified eight merits and seven demerits of social media in the beauty and wellness industry. Every respondent is happy and satisfied with social media use, particularly Instagram and Facebook. Irrespective of the demerits, they have shown the intention to increase its usage in the future. The merits override demerits; thus, social media is a blessing for this industry from the owners' perspective.

Research limitations/implications

The research is exploratory and is confined to just one industry. Research implication is that the visual nature of social media makes it a powerful tool for the promotion of the beauty and wellness industry.

Practical implications

The study's findings will be beneficial for small-scale businesses as it will push them to take advantage of this low-cost marketing tool.

Social implications

Social media marketing is helpful for communication and marketing purposes for society.

Originality/value

The beauty and wellness industry remained unfocused by researchers because it is highly unorganized, fragmented and not regulated, yet has huge growth potential. This research will provide a closer look at this industry as well as social media marketing.

Kaur, K. and Kumar, P. (2022), "Social media: a blessing or a curse? Voice of owners in the beauty and wellness industry", The TQM Journal , Vol. 34 No. 5, pp. 1039-1056. https://doi.org/10.1108/TQM-03-2021-0074

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Social Media - A Blessing or a Curse!

By mark hamister.

Imagine it --- this baby boomer who rails against social media on most days --- now taking a step back and thinking about SOCIAL MEDIA!

I admit it, I am old and biased naturally against social media for more reasons than there are likely numbers. Social media and technology together have corrupted our abilities and incentives to actually talk to one another. However, let's take a more enlightened and balanced step back and look at social media.

My first conclusion after some exhaustive research that has taken the last several weeks is --- social media is here to stay and younger adults and kids love it! So, like it or not it does not appear that anyone will cause its demise. Therefore, wouldn't it be wise to step back and think about social media, leadership and how to more effectively employ social media? That has led me to this expert article (although I use the word expert loosely here).

My research found many articles and real experts listing dozens of cautionary tales about social media. I will narrow my focus a bit and focus on those social media matters which impacts business and employment. I found a significant number of conclusions among the experts that too many people use social media without a filter and do not think about consequences.

Think about this quote that I found:

"We don't have a choice on whether we do social media, the question is how well we do it." By Erik Qualman

THE GOOD OF SOCIAL MEDIA

When I was building the Company, we did not have the internet, computers or social media. When we wanted to get the word out we worked hard to deliver upon marketing strategies. Today all you need are thousands of followers who in turn have thousands of followers and you can get a message out to large quantities of people, with little cost and some time.

I love the ability to find a great hotel on the internet or a great restaurant when I am traveling.

Social media is a great place to learn about the good side of humankind. When people stay focused on the positive it can be enlightening. Imagine the story on May 4, 2017 shown on ABC about a seven-year-old girl who lost her leg and with a smile on her face battled to walk back to school. What a wonderful story of a person's "will to live" and do good! I hope that you saw it. The story was picked up by social media and viewed over 1.5 million times.

Social media is a great place to promote your services or products.

I would be remiss if I didn't say how wonderful it is to be able to "shop" from my couch at home at night. Without the internet and social media, I could not gain input on quality and services. I love to shop online vs. going to the store.

In short, I have become a huge fan of social media and internet access to information, products and services.

Imagine how wonderful social media would be if we could become more disciplined as people and less mean spirited by thinking about a few simple lessons and rules about using social media. That brings me to the bad and ugly part of social media which, if we all employed a little more judgement and kindness, would help social media to become a more positive contributor to quality of life with less stress. After all, when did it become wise to "rant and rave" about others while disdaining those who do it to us?

THE BAD AND UGLY OF SOCIAL MEDIA:

UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCES : Far too many people do not consider the unintended consequences of social media. Many people seem to use social media as a place to "let off some steam". The problem is you can't take it back and you are telegraphing to everyone who reads your "rant" that YOU:

Do you really think that such posting will actually do anything good? If not, your motive is what? Could it be that you need to look in the mirror because in fact you might be mean spirited?

YOUR NEXT EMPLOYER --- WHAT WILL THEY THINK? What do you think your next employer will think about you? (let me be clear, my attitude is if you will complain about your past employer in social media --- when will you complain about us?) Is this the right way to settle differences? This is serious stuff. Here is an example of a comment recently posted on LinkedIn from a recruitment agency about one of their top candidates they were recommending:

"I just had the leading candidate for a senior level position be taken out of consideration after the company found questionable material on a social media page. This is a good example for all of us that it really DOES matter what you post on social media and employers really do look at it!!! Take a second to check yours today!" By D. Gestwick, GRS

"DO UNTO OTHERS," GOLDEN RULE : Have we all forgotten about what our parents taught us --- do unto others what we want done to us. The rule applies to social media as well. Instead of addressing the brutal facts of how we feel (about a person or a company) in social media we should instead address them face to face with the person. Would we want the person that we are not happy with writing something negative about us in social media? Are you perfect? Have you looked in the mirror lately?

FALSE INFORMATION : All too often people who make emotional posts on social media do not have the facts, or at least not all the facts. They base their opinions on biased and incomplete information. If your life depended on it --- would you make decisions on such incomplete information?

ADDICTION TO SOCIAL MEDIA : In this modern era, more and more people are becoming addicted to social media and sharing too much information about themselves and in some cases posting negative things about other people. Social media has its place, but rants will only cause harm, stress and damaged relationships. Are you addicted?

VENTING FRUSTRATIONS AGAINST ANYONE : Friends have "dumped" friends because of nasty rants on social media. I ask you --- who wins? I think no one. Employers have discharged employees for negative posts. Sure, you can go on a rant against your employer. After all, we live in the USA. But those same rights that give you the ability to engage in these rants gives your employer the ability to say no thank you and discharge you for nasty posts. Your employer is issuing you a paycheck. They have a right to expect your hard work and loyalty. What person thinks that their next employer will not react negatively when they see your posts? Lastly on this point --- do you really want your boss thinking --- I can't have a reasonable debate or ever show my displeasure with someone because they might make a social media post. Now your first reaction might be --- great. However, that means that they will let things build up until the bubble bursts. What do you think will happen then? Did you just win a very short term battle by venting publicly while losing the war (I mean your job)? Think first!

CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION : Your friends and your employer both expect you to keep their confidential information --- confidential. If you don't, you will lose friends and your job. Who wins when that happens?

SOCIAL MEDIA ON THE JOB : Most of us understand what theft is on the job. Have you thought that unless social media relations are formally your job that engaging in social media exchanges on the job is actually stealing time from your employer. Is this honest, or right?

DON'T BE FOOLED BY "SHARING RULES" : Most people I talked to thought that they could control many of the negative outcomes discussed earlier in this brief article. Don't be fooled. Most of us have hundreds if not thousands of friends. Then some friends share what their friends post and before you know it all kinds of people know what you thought was on a tight network. If it is on the internet --- you should assume that it is widely public. As an employer, you would be surprised at the number of people who draw to my attention the missteps of their peers on social media.

IN CONCLUSION:

So, I ask this simple question as you think about these comments --- how do you want to live and how do you want your children to live?

What is wrong in our country these days has more to do with polarized opinions of different people than it is about how we are all different. I am thankful that we are all different. I cherish those differences and enjoy the debates that result. Are you contributing to polarization or finding harmony with those that you disagree with?

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Mark Hamister Chairman & CEO, Hamister Group, LLC

The Internet: A Blessing or a Curse? Essay

Introduction, the internet, a blessing, the internet, a curse.

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The invention of the computer and the subsequent birth of the internet has been seen as the most significant advance of the 20th century. Over the course of the past few decades, there has been a remarkable rise in the use of computers and the internet and these two have revolutionized the way in which we carry out our day to day activities. In addition to this, the unprecedented high adoption rate of the internet has resulted in it being a necessity in the running of our day to day lives. With this wide-scale penetration of the internet into many facets of our life, it has become apparent that the internet has both positive and negative effects on individuals and society at large. In light of this reality of the two faces of the internet, there has risen the question of whether the internet is a blessing or a curse to mankind. This paper shall argue that while the internet does pose many real dangers, the internet is overall a blessing to humanity and its positive impacts far outweigh its ills. To reinforce this assertion, this paper shall highlight the significant merits of the internet and demonstrate how the ills can be mitigated for the good of all.

One of the most monumental effects of the internet is that it has led to the speeding up of globalization which is a process characterized by a major integration of economies and cultures. Globalization is characterized by a reduction in barriers between nations as the world strives to become a harmonic society. Sahay (2005, p.36) asserts that the ability of computing technologies to traverse geographical and social barriers has resulted in the creation of a closer-knit global community. The internet is to a large extent responsible for breaking down the barriers between different nations and therefore making the move towards making the world a global village feasible. This is because the internet exposes people to varying cultures and traditions therefore making us appreciate the differences. Knowledge has always been seen to be critical to the advancement of any civilization. As such, man has always sought for ways to accumulate and disseminate information for the betterment of his kind. The internet has greatly aided this task by enabling the sharing of information among people at a previously unprecedented scale. This sharing of information has resulted in an increase in knowledge as people exchange ideas through the internet. With the help of the internet, are no longer confined to physical libraries as their only source of information. They can now tap into the vast resources that computers present through the internet. The internet’s connectivity has also led to more collaboration among students and scientists in their quest for knowledge thus further enhancing their educational experience. The internet has afforded people the chance to get an education at their convenience. In the early years, one had to physically attend school facilities for educational purposes. This locked out multitudes of people who had the will to obtain an education but lacked the time to make it happen. Computers have changed this by enabling learning to be more dynamic by the use of online classes. This is in the form of the phenomenon known as “online education”. Students can take classes from wherever they may be and at any time by using virtual classrooms. The internet has therefore increased the number of people currently enrolled in higher learning institutes thus making education more universal than it was before the inception of computers. The internet has led to a shift in the power bases by taking power from the political and economic elites, big businesses and governments and transferring the same to ordinary people. Ward (2003) suggests that through its distributive ability, the internet will decentralize traditional media channels, therefore, allowing for the interactive community which will result in citizen-based, participatory democracy. Therefore, as a result of the internet, people are no longer privy to government misinformation or even propaganda since they can report the news for themselves. This is a desirable change especially in countries whereby power is wielded by a few elites who control mainstream media and oppress their people.

As more people give information or perform activities online, the internet continues to cause a great infringement on individual privacy which is defined as “the right to be left alone” (Moran & Weinroth 2008, 46). This is especially through online shopping whereby one may be forced to enter personal details. When a person accesses the internet, their activities online may be monitored and information about them stored. User privacies have been violated by the use of tracking software and cookies which have enabled organizations to profile individuals. This information is normally collected without consent and sometimes without the knowledge of the user. Moran and Weinroth note that a more daunting reality is the possibility of this data being accessed and utilized for activities that may negatively impact the individual. The internet has brought about the creation of a new class of people known as Hackers who are people who break into computer systems mostly for the fun of it. Hacking is one of the things which make the internet a very dangerous place. This is because hacking might lead to the exploitation of the vulnerabilities of a system resulting in harm or obtaining some illegal gains for the hacker. While computer hacking is a criminal act under federal laws, this has not helped to deter the hackers and the fact that some countries do not have laws against hacking only makes dealing with hackers more difficult. While some hackers present themselves to the public and the hacking community as good or fighting for a good cause, this is not always the case as some hackers do use their skills for destruction or even blackmail (Jones & Valli 2008). As such, usage of the internet exposes one to dangers from hackers who may steal ones identity and use it to commit fraud. One of the uglier effects of the internet is that it has made the world more dangerous for children. This is especially with regard to sexual exploitation since the internet has exposed children through its great connectivity power. The Canadian Resource Centre for Victims of Crime (2000) states that pedophiles may and actually do use the internet to find potential victims and trade in child pornography. By use of chat rooms, children may be lured into meeting strangers who may then proceed to sexually abuse them. While such acts were there before the internet era, the internet has made prying on children easier and more effective than was in the past. The internet is also used to facilitate the sex trade through websites that offer detailed information as to the counties where pedophiles may go to exploit children owing to the place’s lax child protection laws. The fact that the internet gives anonymity to people is one of the features which have led to the increase in child sexual exploitation through the internet. The internet has brought about the possibility of cyber terrorism which is defined as “the premeditated, politically motivated attack against information, computer systems, computer programs, and data which result in violence against noncombatant targets by sub national groups or clandestine agents.” (Bidgoli 2004, p.354). The most notable of these attacks was perpetrated against Georgia and Estonia following the dispute with Russia. Korns and Kastenver (2009) note that these attacks resulted in the disabling of communication means for the Georgian government. These realities are bleak considering the fact that a small terrorist group may make use of the internet to severe essential infrastructure of a country.

For all its good, the internet remains as a dangerous and unregulated highway whereby crimes are committed and accountability is low. From the discussions presented above, it is clear that there are a number of real dangers that exist as a result of the internet. Some of these dangers e.g. the risk of children falling prey to molesters may be resolved by the use of a police force that has the power to monitor the internet. The creation of global and enforceable laws which will make people legally accountable for their actions will also result in making the internet safer for all. While this goes against the basic idea of the internet as a place without any restrictions, every day realities dictate that law enforcement is necessary online to contain crimes that are continually being instigated through the internet. By so doing, some form of order can be brought to the internet, therefore, making it safer for all. The threat of hackers is very real and presents a big challenge especially to organizations handling critical data. To cope with this, there are tools in place to secure computer networks against attacks. These tools ensure that threats against a network are identified and neutralized and that vulnerabilities are identified and protection measures are adopted. By detecting and defeating the intruders, the advantages of the internet can be reaped without any real danger to the individual or the organization. The threat of terrorist attacks is very real in today’s world. Wilson (2005) notes that many international terrorist groups are actively using the internet to communicate amongst themselves, spread propaganda and even recruit new members. This raises the possibility that the internet could be used to carry out a well coordinated cyberattack on the critical infrastructure of the country. Wilson (2005) declares that it is unlikely that cyberterrorism will pose the same threat that physical attacks such as Nuclear, Biological or chemical threats pose. As such, the internet does not greatly empower terrorists to carry out their actions and as such, the fear of terrorists causing significant harm through the internet is unfounded.

This paper set out to argue that the internet is mostly benevolent to man. To reinforce these claims, this paper has highlighted some of the positive impacts of the internet on man. The negative impacts have also been stated and a discussion on how real the dangers are undertaken. From the findings in this paper, it is clear that some of the dangers associated with the internet are exaggerated and the real once can be gracefully handled through available means. This paper has noted that by adopting these measures against the dangers inherent in the internet, the dangers can be mitigated or even extinguish all together. Once that is done, the positive attributes of the internet can be exploited therefore making the internet a blessing to mankind and his endeavors.

Bidgoli, H 2004, The Internet encyclopedia, Volume 1. John Wiley and Sons. Canadian Resource Centre for Victims of Crime (2000), Child Sexually Exploitation and the Internet . Web. Jones, A & Valli, C 2008, Building a Digital Forensic Laboratory, Butterworth-Heinemann. Korns, WS & Kastenverg, EJ 2009, Georgia’s Cyber Left Hook . Web. Moran, JT & Weinroth, J 2008 , Invasion Of Privacy On The Internet: Information Capturing Without Consent, Journal of Business & Economics Research, Volume 6, Number 7. Sahay, R, 2005, The causes and Trends of the Digital Divide . Web. Ward, D 2003, Impact of New Technology on the Traditional Media: A Special Issue of Trends in Communication, Routledge. Wilson, C 2005, Computer Attack and Cyberterrorism: Vulnerabilities and Policy Issues for Congress, Congressional Research Service.

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